江山易改，本性难移

jiāng shān yì gǎi , běn xìng nán yí

Save to list

A add to a list Esc back to results

Definitions

1. it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's character (idiom)
2. you can't change who you are
3. Can the leopard change his spots?

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Get Yearly · $49.99 / year

Sign up with Google

Did Google show an error? Sorry about that. Use your email below instead.

Continue with Email

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Lifetime for $119.99 Try a practice session

Child Words of 江山易改，本性难移

• 性 性 xìng: characteristic
• 山 山 shān: mountain; hill (CL:座[zuò])
• 改 改 gǎi: to change
• 本 本 běn: root
• 本性 本性 běn xìng: natural instincts
• 江 江 jiāng: river
• 移 移 yí: to move
• 难 难 nán: difficult (to...)
• 难 难 nàn: disaster
• 本性难移 本性难移 běn xìng nán yí: It is hard to change one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are.
• 江山 江山 jiāng shān: Jiangshan, county-level city in Quzhou 衢州[qú zhōu], Zhejiang